Ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have appeared in a New York court, pleading not guilty to multiple charges three days after their capture in Caracas.
Mr Maduro and Ms Flores fronted court around noon, local time, for a brief hearing ahead of what is expected to be a prolonged legal battle over whether he can be put on trial in the United States.
Lawyers for the deposed president are expected to contest the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of state, the Associated Press reported.
The US does not recognise Mr Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate head of state after a disputed 2024 presidential election.
Protesters both for and against Nicolás Maduro’s capture gathered outside the courthouse in Manhattan. (Reuters: Jeenah Moon)
Both Mr Maduro and Ms Flores put on headsets to hear a Spanish translation of Monday’s hearing.
“I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the president of my country,” Mr Maduro said at one point.
Ms Flores also pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.
US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein ordered Mr Maduro appear again in court on March 17.
Media and protesters flock to New York court
The Venezuelan president and first lady were snatched from Caracas in a complex mission at the weekend, dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve.
As part of it, the US military deployed around 150 aircraft from at least 20 different locations, as well as troops from the elite Delta Squadron.
After his capture, the ousted leader, 63, was taken to New York City on charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the United States.
Nicolas Maduro is facing several charges, including narco-terrorism. (Reuters: @RapidResponse47/handout)
News agencies and the public began lining up outside the Manhattan court on Sunday night, local time, to secure a spot inside.
By daybreak, dozens of cameras and reporters were out the front of the building.
Mr Maduro and Ms Flores were flown 8 kilometres via helicopter from the Brooklyn detention centre they have been housed in to the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Manhattan United States Courthouse
around 8am Monday.
The court has heard multiple other high-profile cases including that of Ghislaine Maxwell, Sean “Diddy” Combs and former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez.
A small group of protesters has also gathered outside court holding signs demanding the US free Maduro and take its “hands off Venezuela”.
Nicolás Maduro is being held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. (Reuters: Jeenah Moon)
Maduro, allies accused of aiding drug traffickers
Mr Maduro has led the South American country since 2013, succeeding former president Hugo Chavez.
In the years since, he has overseen a collapse in Venezuela’s economy, instituted crackdowns on political opponents, and faced allegations of electoral fraud during 2024’s presidential election.
In recent months, the Trump administration has conducted a pressure campaign against Mr Maduro’s government, alleging the Venezuelan leader is the unofficial leader of drug cartel Cártel de los Soles.
Nicolás Maduro was ‘captured’ by the US. This is who he is
The US government had previously issued a $US50 million ($74.5 million) reward for information seeking to the arrest and conviction of Mr Maduro.
An indictment unsealed against Mr Maduro, his wife, his son and others alleged he and other Venezuelan leaders “abused their positions of public trust and corrupted once-legitimate institutions to import tons of cocaine into the United States”.
The indictment alleged Mr Maduro and his allies “provided law enforcement cover and logistical support” to major drug trafficking groups, such as the Sinaloa Cartel and Tren de Aragua gang.
These criminal organisations sent profits to high-ranking officials who protected them in exchange, the Justice Department said.
ABC/wires